Berri Replies to Patriarch's Remarks on 'Package Deal'

Speaker Nabih Berri replied on Monday to Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi, who has earlier criticized his “package deal” on the presidency, and said that his suggestion is “more constitutional than any other.”

“I will leave history to rule which was more constitutional, my package deal of ideas or your package deal of people (political candidates,)” Berri's press office said.

“I will let history rule which was more feasible. There is no need to target dignities,” added Berri.

On Sunday, al-Rahi blasted during a sermon calls for a so-called “package deal” that precedes the election of a president, noting that any candidate who accepts it has no “dignity.”

He said: “How can any presidential candidate who has dignity accept a prior package deal?”

Berri has recently proposed a deal involving shortening the term of parliament and that the elections be held based on the 1960 law should political forces fail to agree on a new electoral one.

He also called for staging the presidential elections after the parliamentary ones and forming a national unity government.

“If we don't agree on this package deal, especially on the electoral law, we would be crucifying any elected president,” the speaker said on Monday, ruling out the election of a president before such an agreement.

Speaker Nabih Berri replied on Monday to Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi, who has earlier criticized his “package deal” on the presidency, and said that his suggestion is “more constitutional than any other.”

yes, in the iranian constitution of hezballah it clearly stipulates in article 10,313 that before a president is elected a basket must be agreed upon in regards to who the prime minister is, which cabinet ministries will berri get, and the percentage of the oil revenue he will also get.

So lemme get this straight.. Hariri starts a fresh round of talks aimed, at last, at a electing a president.. he meets with everyone even Aoun.. he speaks of a 'Bitter Choice'.. it looks like there's a light at the end of the presidential election tunnel and what happens next.. Berri Says No President without 'Package Deal' and of course Berri cannot backup his threat without those backing him, backing him, know what I mean.. and you wonder why the Maronite Patriarch al-Rahi was pissed.